Salvation Army cadets visit Hillsdale, host weekend of events

Tuesday

Feb 12, 2013 at 8:28 AMFeb 12, 2013 at 8:29 AM

By Matt Durr

matt.durr@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — Spreading the word of God is a mission the Salvation Army strives for everyday.Officers like Chris Clarke of the Hillsdale Salvation Army spread that word by working in locations all around the country planning various events and activities along with worship services. This weekend Clarke and the Hillsdale branch hosted six young men and women who are part of the next wave of officers looking to spread that word.“We have a brigade of cadets from the Salvation Army School for Officer Training here with us . They are coming here and hosting events all weekend. They’re the one who planned the weekend and are in charge of it,” Clarke said.The cadets visited Hillsdale this weekend and organized a full slate of events including Sunday breakfast and a roller skating party on Saturday at the Stadium Roller Rink in Hillsdale. Children of all ages were invited and were treated to free pizza, soda and of course skating.“The officers here request a group of cadets and so we were assigned to come to Hillsdale. We knew way back in October or November that we were coming here. So we’ve been planning this whole time,” said Jaclyn Davisson, 24, from Chicago.The weekend marked the first time this group of cadets was responsible for organizing an entire weekend of praise-based events in a community.“It’s great that we have a team of cadets and we all work together. Each of us kind of takesour own special part and puts it all together to create a cohesive weekend,” said Betsy Clark, 26, from Kalamazoo. “We’re kind of in the last stretch of our training and this has been really helpful. Some of us have gotten some experience as far as planning things like this.”The cadets are trained in the program for two years, during which they attend various classes and programs, along with internships designed to prepare them for the job of being an officer or pastor of a Salvation Army branch. This group of six cadets are scheduled to graduate in June and will then be assigned to locations throughout the Midwest.Clark said the group's theme this weekend was based around worship and what it means to serve God through worship on a day-to-day basis. Whether it be in work or school or in their actions, the cadets wanted to encourage the children on how to show their worship.“Throughout the weekend we’ve tried to incorporate all those different things. Here at the roller rink, it’s about fellowship and fun and reaching out to people we might not necessarily know, but showing them the love of Christ,” Clark said.For most of the cadets it was the first time visiting Hillsdale, but it won’t be something they soon forget.“What’s really great about the Salvation Army is that we’re really connected. I didn’t grow up in Michigan, but it’s really nice to come to Hillsdale and meet people who go to the Salvation Army and have the same traditions and have the same practices that I do. And to meet new people in the community is always a lot of fun,” said Davisson.